2017 de Sales
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Tasting notes
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 De Sales reveals notes of baked plums, Black Forest cake and balsamic with hints of pencil shavings, tilled soil and cedar. The medium-bodied palate has a fair bit of chewy oak with muscular fruit and a slightly rustic finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2017 de Sales has a delightful bouquet, nothing outrageously complex, but well defined with scents of red berry fruit, warm gravel and just a touch of black truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic, coarse tannins, but there is decent fruit concentration here with a lovely touch of white pepper and clove towards the finish. Enjoy this over the next 12 to 15 years.
The 2017 de Sales has a light, rather ephemeral bouquet, quite earthy in style and in need of more fruit intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with light dusty tannin, a little attenuated towards the finish that feels a little austere. I really wanted to see a better Château de Sales but I think this was too affected by the frost.
Mid intensity of crimson. Scented and sweet. Low tannin level and relatively low acid. You could almost drink this alcoholic fruit juice today! Not intense, but then de Sales rarely is. Polished and easy with a slight suggestion of rusty nails on the end that worries me for the potential long term. Relatively light for a Pomerol but should give early pleasure, although it could be more refreshing.